IN AUGUST OF LASTYEAR, I was hiredfor a pregnancy andnewborn session,which was capturedin my studio and onthe beach. My clientwanted to use gowns (that I designed) andfabrics to augment the shoot. The onlychallenge we faced during this shoot wasthat the subject didn’t speak English verywell, so a translator was present. My clientwas wonderful to photograph, however,and we had a great time collaborating. Toachieve this shot, I used a single ProfotoB1 500 Air TTL To-Go kit and Profoto ExtraLarge 65-inch Deep Translucent Umbrella tothe left of the subject.

I followed my general rule for lighting—
keep it simple and timeless. While I follow
current trends, I don’t consider myself too
trendy. My rules also vary for pregnancy
and newborn shoots. For lighting pregnancy
shoots, I like either soft but dramatic, or
bright and clean.

I love working with fabrics and textures;they create unique, clean lines. With animage like this, I love how it cannot beduplicated. Even if I do this same techniqueon every client, each image will be uniquebecause I am relying on the wind andtossing of the fabric, which is slightlyuncontrollable.I find my clients influence my work morethan anything. In every session I will askmy client what images inspire them. I askthem to tell me or show me images thatare pleasing to them—whether it’s from anad, a magazine or a Pinterest board. Myinfluence comes from talking to them andunderstanding how they want to look in asession. Then it’s all about light and fabrics.I need to use fabrics that will work with theirbody and then add the light to complement.I had no idea exactly how this imagewould come to life. We just tossed the fabricover and over and over until I thought wemight have something she and I would bothlike. Since this image, I have replicated thistechnique many, many times. Each time, itis so di;erent and unique to the individualclient. I want my work to reflect who myclients are, but to also show a bitof my style.

To learn more about the Profoto B1, visit
profoto.com/o;cameraflash. See more from
Ana Brandt at anabrandt.com.

Follow Profoto on Instagram @profotousa.

www.profoto.com

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LEARN TO SEE LIGHT. When using
studio light, turn on the modeling light
and use it to visually show you how
the light is shaping the subject. When
working in natural light, take a step
back and see how the light is entering
the room and falling on surrounding
subjects.

—
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT LIGHTING, TAKE A
WORKSHOP. It is so important to
receive training from someone who
is experienced and can truly show
you light patterns and provide the
technical knowledge needed.

—
DON’T OVER;LIGHT. I use one light,
sometimes two. Most of the time my
lights are very low power (unless I am
backlighting).

_
LEARN TO FEATHER YOUR LIGHT.
Feathering your light is so important
with pregnancy and newborns.

_
LEARN BACKLIGHTING in the studio
and on location—it can change your
life. I am a huge fan of backlighting,
indoors and out.